Chief Stipe

What's the point of stakes increases if you can't get a start for your gelding?

I said "none" about what?

What's your point? Horses are bought and sold all the time. I keep asking you what's YOUR strategy to get a Group winner?

RACE Awapuni - 2024 Season Opening Synthetic Track Meeting We look forward to kicking off the winter racing season next Sunday 5th May with the first of our Synthetic Track Meetings at RACE Awapuni. After a reconstruction-imposed eight month break it’s exciting to have racing finally back in the Manawatu, with the first of nine racedays between now and the start of October. First Race: 12.57pm Last Race: 4.55pm ADDITIONAL RACEDAY INFORMATION FREE GENERAL ADMISSION! Carparking available RACE's Calendar Confirmed The 24/25 season national racing calendar has now been released, with 30 days scheduled across our tracks from August through to July. These dates are allocated as follows:- • 12 days at RACE Trentham • 9 days on the synthetic at RACE Awapuni • 9 days on the new turf at RACE Awapuni Key dates include four Christmas at the Races meetings at Trentham prior to Xmas, and the Wellington Cup Carnival over three weekends on January 4, 11 and 18. The turf at Awapuni is scheduled to reopen on Saturday January 25, with Oaks Day at Trentham on March 22 and Sires Produce returning to Awapuni on March 29. Feilding’s ANZAC Day returns in 2025, and synthetic racing supplements both turf tracks from May. Some of our traditional features are at other venues next season too, with the Marton Metric Mile (Wanganui Sept 21), Feilding Gold Cup (Hastings Nov 2) and Manawatu’s Boxing Day (Otaki Dec 26) some of the last rescheduled dates as a result of the Awapuni reconstruction. There is a new emphasis on Sunday racing across the country next season, with two Trentham days, one Awapuni turf day and five synthetic meetings transferred to Sunday. This includes Group 3 racedays at Trentham on Labour Weekend and pre-Xmas. NZTR has acknowledged that this is a significant change for clubs and participants but has agreed to trial additional Sunday meetings while the minimum funding guarantee from Entain is in place, to see whether there is a better wagering outcome and therefore greater distributions for our code. We encourage everyone to get behind this new initiative, and support the Sunday racedays that we are hosting. Tickets and hospitality packages are now on sale for the TAB Classic Christmas at the Races Day on Saturday 7 December, along with the next three Trentham days in May, June and July. Synthetic raceday packages are also available, and all can be purchased at https://membership.raceinc.co.nz/Tickets Detailed Calendar: Now to July 2025 May 5 Sun Manawatu RC Synthetic Synthetic Grand Opening May 18 Sat Rangitikei RC Trentham James Bull Rangitikei Cup Day May 25 Sat Wellington RC Trentham Majestic Horse Floats Jumps Day May 30 Thurs Feilding JC Synthetic Contractor & Sub-Contractors Day June 15 Sat Wellington RC Trentham Baxters Catering Winterfest June 21 Fri Marton JC Synthetic Winter Raceday July 5 Fri Manawatu RC Synthetic Ashhurst – Pohangina Cup Day July 13 Sat Wellington RC Trentham Grant Plumbing Steeplechase Day August 9 Fri Rangitikei RC Synthetic Feature Day, details to follow August 23 Fri Feilding JC Synthetic Student Day at the Races September 15 Sun Rangitikei RC Synthetic Synthetic Spring October 6 Sun Marton JC Synthetic Synthetic Grand Final October 27 Sun Wellington RC Trentham Thompson Handicap November 15 Fri Manawatu RC Trentham Christmas at the Races Launch December 7 Sat Wellington RC Trentham TAB Classic Day December 15 Sun Manawatu RC Trentham Eulogy Stakes Day December 21 Sat Manawatu RC Trentham Manawatu Cup Day January 4 Sat Marton JC Trentham Marton Cup Day January 11 Sat Wellington RC Trentham Three Group One’s Super Saturday January 18 Sat Wellington RC Trentham Wellington Cup Day January 25 Sat Wellington RC Awapuni Grand Reopening Day March 2 Sun Marton JC Awapuni Summer Raceday March 8 Sat Wellington RC Trentham Racing & NZB Kiwi Watch Party March 19 Wed Manawatu RC Awapuni New Summer Raceday March 22 Sat Wellington RC Trentham Al Basti Equiworld NZ Oaks Day March 29 Sat Manawatu RC Awapuni Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires April 5 Sat Manawatu RC Awapuni Ashhurst-Pohangina Cup Day April 25 Fri Feilding JC Awapuni ANZAC Raceday May 10 Sat Wellington RC Trentham Winter Finals Day May 17 Sat Rangitikei RC Awapuni Rangitikei Cup Day May 25 Sun Feilding JC Synthetic Synthetic Grand Opening June 7 Sat Manawatu RC Awapuni Winter Raceday June 8 Sun Manawatu RC Synthetic Synthetic Raceday #2 June 22 Sun Rangitikei RC Synthetic Synthetic Raceday #3 June 28 Sat Wellington RC Trentham End of Season @ Trentham July 4 Fri Manawatu RC Synthetic Synthetic Raceday #4 July 5 Sat Marton JC Awapuni Business House Day July 17 Thurs Rangitikei RC Synthetic Synthetic Raceday #5 Trentham Renovation Update The six week window between the April 6 and May 18 racedays was long enough for our Track Manager Jamie Phillips to undertake a planned renovation at RACE Trentham. Following the regular post-race tap back the grass was cut down to 30mm, before the track was cored and verti-drained. Undersowing of new grass seed also occurred, with all of this taking place during a good spell of weather. Consequently the track has responded well, and is now ready for the three winter days ahead. Awapuni Reconstruction Update The vast majority of the reconstruction works at RACE Awapuni are now complete, with a welcome tinge of green grass noticeable on the new surface. Next steps are a birdcage refurbishment and the installation of inside and outside running rail, before the installation of slit drains in July. After that it will be a matter of seeing how the Spring growth period assists the surface, with a long period of gallops, jumpouts and trials before the track can return to racing. Melbourne Cup Tour 2024 Tickets are now available for the always popular Melbourne Cup Tour. Hosted by Sporting Tours and our very own Des Coppins this trip always packs a punch and is bound to be a great time. If the Melbourne Cup is on your bucket list then you don't want to miss this. Click here to find out more! Share Forward RACE Awapuni Ashhurst-Pohangina Racing Club Feilding Jockey Club Manawatu Racing Club Marton Jockey Club Rangitikei Racing Club 67 Racecourse Road, Awapuni, 4412 06 356 4940 RACE Trentham Wellington Racing Club 10 Racecourse Road, Trentham, 5018 04 528 9611 Join the Action at RACE Awapuni & Trentham for an entire season of thoroughbred racing thrills. Creative Catering & RACE Trentham Event Centres open for all your corporate and social functions. You are receiving this email as you are a RACE Member or have subscribed to our Newsletter Preferences | Unsubscribe

Who leads that? Don't you have a local programming committee anymore? If you do - who leads that?

Bollocks - name one they won't let go? The one @Special Agent referred to was sold as a racing proposition with the caveat that it would take time to mature. The one @Newmarket metioned was probably no longer a racing proposition and I'm guessing @Newmarket knows that.

Should be paid by the RIB!

I'm not saying that at all. The tighter the radius of the bend the more camber you need. BUT the radius of the bend at Ellerslie is very large and so little or no camber is required. But the camber ISN'T the issue it is the surface. It is slippery even if you were galloping straight. The horses hooves are sliding on the grass and top layer. Which should be the RIB's prime responsibilty. Why Karaka Millions night wasn't called off for safety reasons should be questioned. Why didn't they inspect after each race at the last meeting when they knew there had been problems? Consensus from that group of disparate interests and skills would be impossible. The simple factor to get right is to provide a safe and fair track. It shouldn't be up to one Jockey to say "my horse slipped, sir", and then they all rush out and stand around looking for skid marks.

That's a very long winded way of saying that the prosecution had insufficient evidence to even get to trial. $14m+ of industry funds down the gurgler not to mention the money spent by the defendents. Yep brilliant work @the galah.

But their new track won't have the same camber because they are increasing the radius of the bends. Still much smaller than the Ellerslier bend. When did you last walk Ellerslie? I agree with the contour of the last bit of the turn having a tighter radius than the rest of the bend. A camber on a straight is probably only good for drainage and bias. As I keep saying the lack of or insufficient camber is not the cause of the problem at Ellerslie. That's one thing I do agree with the Ellerslie management on - it is the grass matting and root structure.

March 2023 - MVRC Redevelopment Update MVRC Staff 14 March, 2023 Moonee Valley Racing Club has revealed ambitions to become Australia’s most sustainable sports and entertainment precinct, with plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2027 taking a significant leap forward with the recent approval of critical development permits. Moonee Valley Racing Club will undertake a whole-site approach to environmentally sustainable design throughout the master plan delivery. The Club is targeting significant reductions in energy consumption across all facilities, including the new Grandstand and Clubhouse, which will consume at least 20per cent less energy than is required under building regulations. Lighting upgrades will see LED lighting installed on the racetrack, further contributing to reduced energy consumption. The upgrade and operational management will improve the efficiency of track lighting by 52 per cent, saving the Club $400,000 per year. Over 3.5kWH of grid energy is expected to be saved by generating and storing electricity on-site, saving almost 3,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. The announcement follows the unveiling of a master planned sports, community and lifestyle precinct designed within the existing racecourse land in one of the most significant urban regeneration projects in Australian history. Modernisation of the racing precinct, construction of a multi-function Grandstand and the creation of recreational, public facilities within the racetrack in-field are key elements of the master plan, which seeks to bring vibrancy to Moonee Ponds and be a major source of jobs and economic growth for generations to come. “This is the most significant transformation in Moonee Valley Racing Club’s 140-year history. The landmark precinct will ensure Moonee Valley Racing Club’s relevancy amongst future generations of customers and the broader community alike,” Moonee Valley Racing Club’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Browell, said. Permit approval for the racetrack upgrades and a revitalised maintenance precinct have now been received, signifying an important marker for the 10-year project as it moves into the delivery stage. Racetrack upgrades include innovative techniques to improve water conservation on the site, such as harvesting water from stormwater pipes and capturing all excess irrigation water from the track. Moonee Valley Racing Club estimates the in-field areas will provide a major water catchment source for future stormwater harvesting. The sustainability initiatives planned will also allow Moonee Valley Racing Club to target Green Star and EnviroDevelopment certification. A significant milestone for the Club, this will be the first time an Australian sports and entertainment precinct has been awarded certification in history. Track expansion will increase the home straight to a new length of 317m, allowing for a longer duration of racing. The Cox Plate will commence from the top of the home straight, improving the visual experience for future racing spectators. The new Grandstand design will enhance the current track's unique “colosseum” effect. When planning the racetrack upgrades, Moonee Valley Racing Club took equine welfare into high consideration, in line with society’s attitudinal shifts towards horse racing. Wider turns for horses on the new track will be within a range of 120m – 133m in radius, with a 3-4 per cent camber at the bends to provide greater safety for the horses running at high speeds. "The realignment of the racetrack creates significant opportunities to modernise the horse racing operations, rebuild and upgrade facilities and implement more sustainable practices at Moonee Valley Racecourse," Moonee Valley Racing Club Chairman, Adam Lennen, said.

We'll leave you to ride your high horse. Note all the trainers have appealed. Don't you think it odd that there are so many positives?

Took another 2 years though.

Well that's not @Brodie as he can't get a bet on.

No he said it needed more racing.

Name one.

Or a lot of marketing and PR spin. I'll say it now and say it loud. The Ellerslie rebuild is a complete fuck up. I was hoping for a lot better.

What $14m wasted on proving no race fixing?

Darren Weir jigger penalty: Not guilty on corruption, dishonesty charges www.racenet.com.au The Victorian Racing Tribunal has dismissed corruption charges against Darren Weir, declaring the former trainer's use of a jigger on three racehorses akin to a superstitious horseman "breaking into a racecourse to spread four-leaf clover on the track". In making the analogy, Judge John Bowman said the VRT panel was not satisfied that the use of a jigger on racehorses Red Cardinal, Tosen Basil and Yogi could have had any effect on the outcome of races – including the 2018 Melbourne Cup. • ‘He's always on our mind': Dean Holland remembered one year on Weir and his then-employees Jarrod McLean and Tyson Kermond had pleaded guilty to the use of jiggers but contested stewards' charges of engaging in corrupt and dishonest conduct designed to affect the outcome of races. Speaking via video link, Judge Bowman was scathing of Racing Victoria's expert witness, Dr Andrew McLean (no relation), who gave evidence of the potential effect of jigger use on racehorses. "In our opinion the evidence given by Dr McLean is vital," Judge Bowman said, declaring Dr McLean had little experience with racehorses and made several "important concessions in his oral evidence" under cross-examination. • Sun to rise again for Maskiell in VRC St Leger "We say now that we are not particularly impressed with the evidence of Dr McLean. "While he may be qualified in relation to various aspects of animal welfare, his knowledge of and experience with racehorses and racing is limited. "In any event, that evidence contains a high level of uncertainty as to whether any claim associated with the use of the jigger would be likely to affect the outcome of the race in question." Yogi missed out on a run in the 2018 Melbourne Cup despite having a jigger used on him. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images Weir used the jigger on Red Cardinal on October 30, 2018 – a week before the horse was beaten almost 70 lengths in that year's Melbourne Cup. Yogi, who also had the jigger applied on October 30, finished seventh in the Lexus Stakes on November 3 and missed out on a run in the Melbourne Cup, while Tosen Basil was retired and never raced again. "Therefore, the horses are back in the situation of the (four-leaf) clover trainer – treatment was given but it was not established the treatment was likely to affect the outcome of the races in question," Judge Bowman said. Judge Bowman said the stewards' brief of evidence fell "well short" of the required standard of proof to find Weir, McLean and Kermond guilty of corruption offences. McLean and Kermond were found guilty of engaging in corruption, dishonesty and misleading practices in connection with racing, a charge to which Weir had pleaded guilty. The case will continue next week with a directions hearing that will determine the timeline for penalty submissions. Weir has already served a four-year ban relating to the possession of the jigger device. He is currently pre-training for some of Australia's top stables at his Trevenson Park property.

But nothing to do with race fixing. $14m of industry money later. Cost a lot to rattle a sabre for no result.

I was watching the racing at Mt Gambier today. The track is as flat as a pancake and has more bends than Arthur's Pass. No slipping.

I agree. What's more they could have been used to get the Metro tracks right. Pukekohe was already stuffed but now it's well and truly stuffed assisting Ellerslie to build a $55m stuffed track. WTF are these administrators smoking?

Meanwhile its a Good 4 at one of the Mesara no good tracks Timaru.

Really? Then explain why the Canbridge trials were cancelled and the trainers were happy to trial on a soft track at Taupo in the rain?

Purcell was light years ahead of him.